MAN — START’s decorating theme for April was “April showers bring May flowers.” Therefore, flowers were used largely in the decorating scheme for the May meeting held in the Fellowship Hall of Bruce McDonald United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 24.

For the tables, decorators used off-white table linens, light green placemats and bird houses as centerpieces. Placed beside each bird house were large chrysanthemums crafted by Gretchen Donahue using multi-colored tissue paper used for wrapping gifts.

The meeting was called to order by START president Frank Thompson. Prior to the opening prayer, he introduced the guests: Maxine Clay from Ohio and Terry Schoolcraft, and acknowledged Sherry Frye as a new member. Then, Rev. Randy Sites offered the opening prayer.

START (Seniors Taking Active Roles Today) members came to the meeting with emotions of sadness due to the passing of Emma Mitchell on May 13. Mitchell, along with her husband Bill, was one of START’s charter members and had been very active in the organization until failing health took its toll.

After everyone had eaten and visited with their table partners, members celebrating their May birthdays were introduced. The members were Nadine Blankenship, Ella Cook, Norma Jean Nelson, Carolyn Rallos, Delores Spears and Mary Lou Wingler. Emma Mitchell’s 90th birthday was May 29, making her eligible for START’s “90th Birthday Hall of Fame.”

While START’s photographer Shirley Brown took a picture of the members present and celebrating a May birthday, Alice Harrison played the piano while the group sang the “Happy Birthday” song.

Then it was time for Thompson to introduce Schoolcraft. Although Schoolcraft is the district manager of United Bank, her focus was on her shop, Antique Junkshun, and her antique junking or collecting antiques. She brought a few items from her shop for show and tell. She gave a gift to the first member that could identify two of the items that she brought. She brought an antique stereoscope which was passed around for everyone to view one of the pictures that she had inserted. Schoolcraft displayed a lot of enthusiasm in talking about her shop and going “antique junking”. START members really enjoyed her talk—maybe it had a lot to do with Schoolcraft reviving old memories.

During the business session, Harrison presented the treasury report; Elizabeth Tackett discussed the upcoming summer reading program, and Thompson reminded the group about collecting donations for Friends of the Library which allows the person to a free pancake breakfast at Wendy’s on June 9.

Prior to the close of the meeting, there was a drawing for door prizes. Prizes were awarded to George Doczi, Maxine Justice and Bill McNeely.

The 44 members and guests signing the attendance register were: Terry Schoolcraft, Lessie Bailey, Elmer and Lounice Jeffrey, Merlin and Delores Spears, Anna Vance, Ella Cook, Jane Grimmette, Bill and Donna McNeely, Barbara Spears, Garnet Triplett, Norma Jean Nelson, Geraldine Bunch, Alice Harrison, Arthur and Barbara Brunty, Maxine Clay, JoAnne Hensley, Mae Osborne, Maxine Justice, Patty Stowers, Lee and Billie Noel, Man Mayor Jim Blevins, Robert Perry, Shirley and Zettie Brown, Rev. Randy Sites, George and Dotty Doczi, Betty Gentry, Sherry Frye, Patty Doczi, Laura Hinchman, Peggy Mosley, Bernie Queen, Lenora Moss, Frank Combs, Angeline Bassham, Elizabeth Tackett, Gretchan Donahue, and Frank and Elaine Thompson.

The next START meeting will be held at noon Thursday, June 28, in the fellowship hall of Bruce McDonald United Methodist Church.

“Guests are always welcome to attend,” said Thompson.